The Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 552, 17 October 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

We regret that by inadvertence a seeming disrespect was shown to our respected Resident Magistrate yesterday in connection with the recent charges of libel which have been withdrawn. It should certainly have been represented formally to the Court, that tne prpaecution was at an end, and that the iitigants were Binoking the calumet of peace. But we presume that all parties had regarded the matter as finally closed, and neglected to take the formal stepi of having this represented to the Bench. We feel confident that w« can §ay for both parties that any want of courtesy to Mr. Beckham, who had again and Ofain kindly consulted their convenience, was the remotest thing from tbeir intentions, and that the irregularity was solely the result ot inadvertence.

It is well that publicans should notice what the Resident Magistrate said this morning during the inyestigation of two charges for selling liquor on Sunday. He said that he had not the slightest doubt that the seeds of most of the crime which came under his notice were sown by the practice. People congregated in public-house bars until they became intoxicated, and then went out and oommitted offences while in a state of partial insanity. Besides this, Sabbath-breaking and other wrong-doing was an immediate consequence. He thought that as publicans risked a fine of £20 for every offence, with the certainty of losing their licenses after a third, it was quite evident that the profits they were making must be enormous, and clearly showed that the liquor must be highly adulterated. He then fiued each defendant £10, as there seemed to be some extenuating circumstances ; but desired it to be distinctly understood that in ever/ future conviotion he would inflict the full penalty of £20. Mr. Theodore Wrignt delivered another of his interesting lectures on "Phrenology" at the Young Men's Christian Association, last evening. He selected four of the mental qualities for the subject of his discourse, and treated of tbeir various developments in an able manner. These 1 eotures, besides being highly instructive, are rendered very interesting by the amusing illustrations introduced by Mr. Wrizht. The manipulations which conclude each evening's entertainment arc also cleverly performed, and well worth seeing. It is generally reported that Mr. Eowe, the i::ionager of the Caledonian mine, has been permitted, by the directors, to improve his position by finding better and more profitable employment. We hope he will be successful iv this, and are confident that we ore joined in our good wishes by almost all the shareholders of the company and by the public in general. His Worship the Resident Magistrate made some excellent remarks this morning in regard to the practice too common in town of publicans giving drink to people who have already had too much. He condemned it in no measured terms, and, inter alia, expressed his opinion that such persons were clearly morally responsible for the acts committed by habitual drunkards who completed their inebriation in such public-houses. He referred to the 62nd oUvioeoftfaus " Lloan»inK Act, 1871," which renders buoH transaction* penal. The clause, which ought to be better known, and better attended to, runs thus : —" If any person shall be convicted of being an habitual drunkard, the name and description of such peraon shall be furnished by the police to every holder of a publican's or bush license within the district, and any holder of such license who shall thereafter knowingly supply, or permit or suffer to be supplied in or upon his premises any alcoholic liquor to such habitual drunkard ; shall on conviotion, forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding five pounds for each offence." We would remind those interested in the cause of early closing that there is a meeting of members of the Early Closing Association, to he held at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, to-night. We understand thai it is intended to appoint sub-com-mittees to canvass the employ^ in the city to become members of the Association, and to induce the employers to adopt the principles advocated. We sincerely wish auecess to this movement* A man at whose house I was a guest told me that he had been a hard drinker and cruel husband, and had beaten his poor wife until she-had almost become used to it. "But," said he, "the very moment I signed the pledge I thought of.my wife—the night before I would hava knocked her down just as like as not if she hadn't looked to please me; and now I am planning to break good news to her for fear it ■would upset her." As near as I could gather from what he told me, he found his wife sitting over the embers waiting for him. As he came into the house, he said: "Nancy, I think that " "Well, Ned, what is it P" '* Why, I think I shall—that is —I mean to—to—Nancy, mean "

What's the matter, Ned ? Anything the matter ?" " Yes," said he, " the matter's just this ; I have signed tho pledge, and so help me Gtod, I'll keep it." "She started to her feet and she did faint away. I was just in time to catch her; and as she lay in my arms, her face so pale, thinks I, she's dead and I've done it now. But she wasn't dead; she opened her eyes; and then she put her arms round my neck, and I didn't know she was so strong, as she pulled till she got me down where I had not been for thirty years—on my knees. Then she said, "Oh God! help my poor Ned, and strengthen him to keep his pledge;' and I hollered ' Amen ! just as loud as I eonld holler. That was the first time we ever knelt together, but it was not the last."